Went to AZ last week. My daughter and I had some time to kill, so we hopped the Metro light rail in Tempe and rode downtown to Lux. We weren't sure which stop to get off, and ended up getting off 1 stop too early. While waiting for the next train, some dude on a cool black bike, dressed in black with tattoed arms rides by. My daughter says "I'll bet he knows where the Lux Coffeebar is". We hopped the next train and rode it to the next stop, 1/2 block from Lux. And guess who was pulling shots? The guy on the bike!! We shared the story with him. What a hoot.

A ways back, someone mentioned Village Coffee, in Scottsdale, aka "The Village Coffee Roastery". Its located at North Hayden and Via De Ventura (exit 43 on the 101). I had a superb americano -- traditional -- and a nice cookie. They look like a class act, and the americano was the best I've had in a very long time.

Very friendly staff and the place has a good vibe. If in the area, I highly recommend checking it out.

In the Tucson area:****Caffe Luce, Park Ave north of University Blvd Elixer Sold Cafe VanGo Closed Jason moved to PHX and is working on a new project. look for him at the Mesas Bookmans Cafe?!****Avenue Coffee, Campbell and Water, just north of Grant Now a Cartel Coffee Labs, SO espresso exclusively***Epic Cafe, University and Fourth Ave***Safehouse, Speedway, east of Alvernon***Cafe Le Buzz, Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde****Savaya, 5350 E Broadway (and Craycroft, 'behind' Olive Garden) SO espresso.

Crave, last time I was in, was a two star experience. The kit was there, the beans are decent, but something is lacking. I'm betting it was the new-ish baristi. Haven't been back.

Luce has a new shop opening soon, rumoured to be at the Trader Joe's Plaza at the corner of Campbell and Limberlost.Downtown is about to take a shot at what seems to be real espresso, too. Since Common Grounds has abandoned all pretense of espresso quality, I'm looking forward to having a decent cuppa available. 'Sparkroot' (opening soon-ish?) is going to be serving Blue Bottle Coffees. MMmmm.... Hayes Valley...

Remember, if these are rated, it means that I have personal experience (and possibly just one, so as many grains of salt as you think you need with this) with the shop. No rating means that these are from people that I trust to know the great from the mediocre, and they trust these shops. I'd love to get anyone else's take on these.

**** Four stars is quality that stand out. Excellent, third0wave coffee, These folks are in it to make great coffee, all else is secondary.***Three is great coffee, not doubt about it. Dependable, and reliably good. Just lacking that certain je nais se quoi.**Two stars is fairly decent coffee, where they have the beans and the kit, but haven't really gotten the nous to put it all together to be great. Still good, still dependable, nothing to write home about.*One stars are chains like Starbucks and Java City, Coffee Exchange or Cafe Diva with their superautos, or indies with little or no clue; Espresso Art, Chocolate Iguana, Raging Sage. Nothing wrong with these in a pinch, they just don't really make the cut, and range from horrible to mediocre. To numerous to mention.

Caffe Luce has their second shop open at the Trader Joe's Location north of the River on the West side of Campbell Ave.

Sparkroot is open downtown, on 5th Ave and Congress, NW corner of the st, NE corner of the MLK building (for you locals, that's the building that back up against the Ronstadt Transient Center... er... 'Transit' Center.Sparkroot is rocking a lil two group La Marzocco Linea, a Robur, and Blue Bottle coffees. Hayes Valley for espresso! Joseph from Blue Bottle was in for a week of training, and the first cuppa I got so reminded me of standing on the street outside the Linden location! I didn't get to try the food, but the beer and wine menu looked intriguing, and they were cutting up a giant wheel of Fontina. Looks excellent.

In the Tucson area:****Caffe Luce, Park Ave north of University Blvd****Caffe Luce II, Trader Joe lot, Campbell Ave and Limberlost, just south of the Rillito River, at the bridge****Cartel Coffee Labs, Campbell and Water, just north of Grant , SO espresso exclusively****Savaya, 5350 E Broadway (and Craycroft, 'behind' Olive Garden) SO espresso.****FRESH, River Road and Calle Santo*. LM Strada and Cartel beans****Sparkroot, 5th St and Congress, LM Linea and Blue Bottle Hayes Valley beans, great vegetarian food and beer!***Epic Cafe, University and Fourth Ave***Safehouse, Speedway, east of Alvernon***Cafe Le Buzz, Catalina Highway and Tanque Verde**Crave, 4530 E Broadway Blvd, S side of the street, between Swan and Country Club.

*Fresh is just in front of the Pima Heart building, as you drive east on River Road, it is just as the right hand bend at the top of the hill starts to jog back to the left. It's between El Corral and the light at Hacienda Del Sol, on the South side of the street. These guys are knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Very proud of their product and their kit. Great nosh, too, They have a personal relationship with their produce provider that shows in the taste. Coffee 'snobs' are not only welcome, but made to feel right at home.

Crave, last time I was in, was a two star experience. The kit was there, the beans are decent, but something is lacking. I'm betting it was the new-ish baristi. Haven't been back.

Remember, if these are rated, it means that I have personal experience (and possibly just one, so as many grains of salt as you think you need with this) with the shop. No rating means that these are from people that I trust to know the great from the mediocre, and they trust these shops. I'd love to get anyone else's take on these.

**** Four stars is quality that stand out. Excellent, third0wave coffee, These folks are in it to make great coffee, all else is secondary.***Three is great coffee, not doubt about it. Dependable, and reliably good. Just lacking that certain je nais se quoi.**Two stars is fairly decent coffee, where they have the beans and the kit, but haven't really gotten the nous to put it all together to be great. Still good, still dependable, nothing to write home about.*One stars are chains like Starbucks and Java City, Coffee Exchange or Cafe Diva with their superautos, or indies with little or no clue; Espresso Art, Chocolate Iguana, Raging Sage. Nothing wrong with these in a pinch, they just don't really make the cut, and range from horrible to mediocre. To numerous to mention.

Psyd, it's very good of you to provide these updates! I'm looking for Phoenix coffee recommendations and it looks like most of the relevant threads are several years old. Do you have or can you point me toward good recommendations for Phoenix? I'll be there next weekend.

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